Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder. Those who develop it may find themselves eating large amounts of food in one sitting (known as bingeing). Following this, they will typically feel guilty and ashamed of what they’ve done. This leads to them wanting to get rid of the food, usually through vomiting or using laxatives. This is called purging.

The cycle of binging and purging is central to bulimia nervosa and for those caught up in it, it can feel as if they are trapped. Thoughts about food, body weight and image become all-consuming.

On this page we will look at bulimia in more detail, including signs to look out for, getting support and how to help someone you care about if they’re struggling with an eating problem.

What is bulimia?

Eating disorders affect the way you think about yourself and the way you approach food/eating. They are more likely to develop in women, however they are becoming increasingly common in men. It is estimated that 1.6 million people in Britain suffer from an eating problem.

People with an eating disorder tend to use their eating habits to cope with underlying emotional distress. There is often a great fear of gaining weight and eating high calorie/fatty foods.

For those with bulimia nervosa, the fear causes them to try and restrict what they are eating. This can then lead to binge eating, where large quantities of food are eaten in a short space of time. Feelings of shame, guilt and fear of gaining weight are common after a binge, leading to a desire to ‘undo’ the eating. This purging can take many forms, from over-exercising to forced vomiting.

These binge-purge cycles can be triggered by stress, hunger or even anxiety and sadness. Someone with bulimia may feel they have lost control over an aspect of their life, and aim to control their diet as a coping mechanism. This cycle can take over other aspects of their life and be difficult to break out of alone.

Signs and behaviours to look out for

People with eating problems can feel ashamed or even embarrassed by their behaviours and tend to be very secretive about it. Because of this, and because they are worried what getting help would involve, many don’t seek help early enough. Below we list some of the signs and behaviours to look out for. If you recognise them in yourself or in someone you know, please keep reading for more advice.

If you have an eating problem such as bulimia, you may experience the following:

Your weight may fluctuate or stay roughly the same. Because your weight may seem ‘normal’ in the eyes of others, it can be hard for people to notice you need help.

We know that when you’re in the grips of an eating disorder, getting support can be a scary prospect. Fighting this fear and reaching out is an important step to help you free yourself from the cycle. Take a look below for some ways you can get confidential and professional support and fight the fear.

Getting support for bulimia

As with most eating disorders, bulimia often develops because of an underlying issue. Understanding this and getting help to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours is key to overcoming and recovering from an eating disorder.

Even if you’re not sure whether or not you have a problem, talking to someone about the way you feel can lighten your load. Getting help and support early on is really important. The longer you avoid it, the harder it will be to overcome.

Recognising that you aren’t happy with the way things are is the first step.

Approach an online support group or charity for advice - be sure to stay safe online and avoid sites that promote eating problems as these can make you feel worse.

What can help?

The most important thing to realise if you have an eating problem is that it can be overcome. For many, reaching out and gaining support paves the way to recovery. Below are some examples of what can help if you’re suffering from bulimia.

Creating a support network

Going through any mental health problem alone is tough, but it needn’t be that way. Surround yourself with people who you trust and you feel happy talking to. This can include friends, family, your doctor or even online support groups.

Having someone to talk to when you’re struggling is invaluable. It’s easy to become consumed with your thoughts and getting it out can be helpful. Try and create a network and don’t be shy about asking for help.

Talking therapies

Psychological treatment is often required to help recover and overcome eating disorders. There are many different talk therapies available, however the most common ones used for eating problems like bulimia are:

You can find out more about these therapies by clicking the links above to our fact-sheets.

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques

Because eating problems affect the way you think and can be linked to anxiety and depression, trying a technique that helps to calm and slow thoughts can be helpful. Mindfulness is a technique that encourages you to pay attention to the present moment.

Originating as a meditation technique, mindfulness can involve you paying attention to the way you feel physically and emotionally, or noticing your surroundings. For those with bulimia in particular, being mindful when eating can help you to slow down, realise that you deserve food and eat it in a healthy way.

Small steps

Recovery from an eating disorder can feel like a daunting prospect. You may feel scared that recovery means losing control over your body. The aim however is to help you take control and drive your own recovery.

With the guidance of your doctor or counsellor, you can try taking some small steps to change your behaviours. For example, you could schedule in time to do something fun after eating so you don’t feel worried about purging.

Medication

While talking therapies should always be the initial treatment offered, your doctors may offer medication too. There are no drugs to help specifically with eating disorders, however antidepressants or medications to help with anxiety may be offered.

When used alongside talking therapies, these can be helpful, but it’s important to discuss in more detail with your doctor to decide if it is the right course of action for you.

Spending time in a clinic

When eating problems are prolonged, it quickly puts your physical health at risk. In these instances you may need to spend some time in a hospital or clinic. If you are admitted as an inpatient you will stay at the clinic whilst receiving treatment. If you are an outpatient you will be able to go home most evenings and at the weekend.

The amount of time you spend at a clinic will depend on your individual case and how much help you need to get better.

How to help someone with bulimia

Having an eating disorder is a very scary thing, and many find it hard to reach out for support. Because of this, it is important for all of us to be aware of the signs and to reach out if we suspect someone we know may be struggling.

Let them know you’re there for them. This is perhaps the most important thing you can do. Rather than forcing a discussion on your terms, let them know you are available to listen whenever they feel ready to talk.

Understand that while you see their behaviour as a problem and wrong, they may not view it in the same way. Many people with eating problems don’t see them as problems, but rather solutions to dealing with difficult feelings.

Don’t force behaviour change. If you begin to dictate behaviour, it can backfire into making the person more secretive about their behaviour.

Encourage them to seek professional support from their GP or a counsellor. You could even offer to go with them if they are nervous about it.

Help them find information and support online. There are lots of support groups and information sources online that can help people with eating problems understand why they are thinking a certain way. Educating yourself on the conditions will also help you understand them more.

Avoid making plans for social occasions that involve food. These can be very stressful for someone going through an eating disorder. Encourage socialising in different environments that don’t involve food.

Helping someone going through a mental health problem can be tough on you too, so don’t forget to look after yourself. Schedule time for self-care and have your own support network. If the person is a member of your family, you may find it helpful to try family counselling.

What should I be looking for in a counsellor or psychotherapist?

As it stands there is no law stipulating a required level of training for counsellors treating individuals with bulimia nervosa. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have developed a set of clinical guidelines that issue advise on types of psychological treatment, medication and available services.

Key recommendations include the following:

Cognitive behaviour therapy for bulimia nervosa (CBT-BN), a specifically adapted form of CBT, should be offered to adults with bulimia nervosa. The course of treatment should be for 16 to 20 sessions over four to five months.

Adolescents with bulimia nervosa may be treated with CBT-BN, adapted as needed to suit their age, circumstances and level of development, and including the family as appropriate.

When people with bulimia nervosa have not responded to or do not want CBT, other psychological treatments should be considered.

Interpersonal psychotherapy should be considered as an alternative to CBT, but patients should be informed it takes 8–12 months to achieve results comparable with cognitive behaviour therapy.

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